U.S. patent application number 13/318726 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for support arrangement for solar modules.
This patent application is currently assigned to Habdank PV-Montagesysteme GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Martin Habdank, Peter Habdank.
Application Number | 20120056066 13/318726 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42932876 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120056066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Habdank; Martin ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR SOLAR MODULES
Abstract
A support arrangement for a solar module includes a post having
a first surface section. A support structure includes a connecting
element presenting a second surface section facing the first
surface section in a direction of a joint surface normal of the
first and second surface sections. A stop element is arranged in
the surface normal direction offset to the first and second surface
sections. A first form-fitting connection exists between the stop
element and the post and a second form-fitting connection exists
between the stop element and the connecting element, providing
vertical support of the connecting element relative to the post.
The first and second form-fitting connections are producible at
different heights of the connecting element relative to the post. A
fastening element holds in place the first surface section and the
second surface section relative to each other in the direction of
the joint surface normal.
Inventors: |
Habdank; Martin; (Heiningen,
DE) ; Habdank; Peter; (Heiningen, DE) |
Assignee: |
Habdank PV-Montagesysteme GmbH
& Co. KG
Goeppingen
DE
|
Family ID: |
42932876 |
Appl. No.: |
13/318726 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
May 11, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP10/56460 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/419 ;
248/423 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 25/60 20180501;
Y02E 10/50 20130101; Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 25/12 20180501; Y10T
403/32418 20150115; F24S 25/70 20180501; F24S 25/65 20180501; H02S
20/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/419 ;
248/423 |
International
Class: |
H01L 23/12 20060101
H01L023/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 15, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 003 151.0 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the fastening
element comprises a threaded connection.
3. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the stop element
has an opening through which the fastening element extends and the
fastening element together with said opening forms the first
form-fitting connection between the post and the stop element.
4. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the second
surface section includes counter structures and the stop includes
locking structures to engage the counter structures on the second
surface section of the connecting element to form the second
form-fitting connection.
5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the counter
structure comprises a plurality of counter-structure elements,
vertically offset against each other, which correspond to different
height positions for the second surface section, relative to the
stop element, and can alternatively be selected to engage with the
locking structure.
6. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the counter
structure elements in the counter structure form a grid extending
in a vertical direction.
7. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the stop element
is arrangeable in at least two different angle positions around the
fastening element, thereby producing a changeable form-fitting
connection.
8. The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the stop
structures in the different angle positions assume at least in part
different height positions relative to the post.
9. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the second
surface section comprises a vertically extending elongated
hole.
10. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the stop element
is arranged on a side of the second surface section facing away
from the first surface section on the post.
11. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the connecting
element is displaceable in height relative to the post when the
fastening element is adjusted to be in a non-tightened state so
that the post, the connecting element and the stop element are no
longer in a form-fitting connection but are still loosely
connected.
12. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the stop element
comprises a first plate section with stop structures embodied
thereon.
13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the stop
structures comprise projections on the first plate section.
14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the connecting
element includes counter structures in a form of depressions which
match the projections on the stop element.
15. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the depressions
comprise adjacent bore holes spaced apart by material webs.
16. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the first plate
section includes an opening through which the fastening element is
extended.
17. The arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising a
bushing is-formed around the opening (DA) in the first plate
section of the stop element.
18. The arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the connecting
element comprises a second plate section and the bushing projects
further in a same direction as the stop structures over first the
plate section and is positioned to be vertically displaceable
inside a recess of the second plate section.
19. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein the connecting
element is holdable in place at different angle orientations within
a limited pivoting angle range around a pivoting axis extending
parallel to the joint surface normal.
20. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the threaded
connection comprises a threaded bolt.
21. A support arrangement for a solar module, comprising: a post
having a first surface section; a support structure including a
connecting element presenting a second surface section facing the
first surface section in a direction of a joint surface normal of
the first and second surface sections; a stop element arranged in
the surface normal direction offset to the first surface section
and the second surface section, a first form-fitting connection
between the stop element and the post and a second form-fitting
connection between the stop element and the connecting element
providing vertical support of the connecting element relative to
the post, wherein the first and second form-fitting connections are
producible at different heights of the connecting element relative
to the post; and a fastening element to hold in place the first
surface section and the second surface section relative to each
other in the direction of the joint surface normal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a U.S. National Stage of International
Application No. PCT/EP2010/056460, filed May 11, 2010, designating
the United States and claiming priority to German Application No.
DE 10 2009 003 151.0 filed May 15, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a support arrangement for solar
modules.
[0003] Solar systems comprising a plurality of solar modules,
especially photovoltaic modules, are frequently embodied as outdoor
systems for which posts must be anchored and in particular rammed
into the ground. Support arrangements are attached via connecting
elements to these posts, which are typically arranged in one or
several rows. Support arrangements generally consist of one or
several longitudinal supports, as well as module supports extending
transverse thereto on which the solar modules are mounted.
[0004] Support arrangements of this type are known, for example,
from the German patent documents DE 20 2005 008 159 U1, DE 203 03
257 U1, DE 20 2005 012 993 U1, and international patent
publications WO 00/31477 A1 or WO 2008/009530 A2. German patent
document DE 203 19 065 U1 additionally mentions the option of
attaching a connecting element, embodied as a U-shaped yoke, to a
post that the connecting element can be adjusted in height and
tilted to the side.
[0005] Since the posts can be rammed in only with limited
precision, it can be advantageous to have available a readjustment
option, especially with respect to the height position of the
connecting elements.
[0006] According to the German patent document DE 20 2008 001 010
U1, a connection claw is provided for the height adjustment and is
screwed to the upper end of the post that is anchored in the
ground, wherein the screws are fitted into elongated holes in the
post and the connecting claw can thus be secured at different
height positions, such that it is clamped against the side surfaces
of the post.
[0007] The height-adjustment option with the aid of elongated holes
is also known in connection with roof-mounting systems and is
described, for example, in the German patent documents DE 101 52
354 C1 and DE 10 2005 018 687 B3, wherein the latter document
discloses an embodiment provided with an elongated hole, provided
with a toothing of opposite-arranged surfaces, wherein
alternatively a row of bore holes can be provided through which the
fastening screws can extend. When using aluminum profiles as
structural components, the toothing can be produced relatively
easily but has only a limited supporting capacity. Providing steel
components, which are designed for high carrying capacity, with a
toothing is expensive and the toothing can become clogged with
anti-corrosion material during a subsequent surface treatment with
a frost protection agent.
SUMMARY
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
advantageous option for adjusting the height of a support
arrangement for solar modules which can be subjected to high
loads.
[0009] The above and other objects are achieved according to the
invention by the provision of a support arrangement for a solar
module, which in one embodiment comprises: a post having a first
surface section; a support structure including a connecting element
presenting a second surface section facing the first surface
section in a direction of a joint surface normal of the first and
second surface sections; a stop element arranged in the surface
normal direction offset to the first surface section and the second
surface section, a first form-fitting connection between the stop
element and the post and a second form-fitting connection between
the stop element and the connecting element providing vertical
support of the connecting element relative to the post, wherein the
first and second form-fitting connections are producible at
different heights of the connecting element relative to the post;
and a fastening element to hold in place the first surface section
and the second surface section relative to each other in the
direction of the joint surface normal.
[0010] As a result of the at the least one stop element, provided
in addition to the standard fastening elements, the invention
permits at least a partial separation between the height adjustment
and the mounting. In particular, a high stability of the vertical
support can be combined with an especially favorable way of
handling the adjustment of the height position in that the
opposite-arranged surface sections of the post and the connecting
element, as well as the stop element, remain in a captive
connection when the fastening element is loosened while still
permitting a vertical displacement of the connecting element,
relative to the post, and allowing at least one of the two
form-fitting connections to be changed.
[0011] The components which must absorb the supporting forces,
meaning the posts, the connecting elements and the stop elements,
are preferably made of steel and can advantageously be embodied of
non-rusting steel or can be embodied to have a surface treated with
rust-preventing material, in particular a galvanized surface.
[0012] The first and second form-fitting connections in this case
are understood to refer to the interlocking components of at least
two structural parts which function to mutually support each other
in a form-fitting connection for two components in the vertical
direction. With respect to a force support or a displacement, the
vertical direction is understood to also include a slight angle
deviating from the perpendicular line, for example if the
connecting elements are tilted around an essentially horizontal
axis. Also understood is that the horizontal direction includes a
slight deviation. Horizontal and vertical directional information
relates to the typical setup for the support arrangement over a
horizontal, flat area.
[0013] The support arrangement according to the invention can be
used advantageously with known and proven structures, having screws
or threaded bolts as fastening elements which extend through the
first and second surface sections and tighten the two surface
sections against each other in the locked state. The connecting
element typically fits with two second surface sections, which can
be embodied as connecting element in the form of welded together
web plates, against two sides of first surface sections on the post
which are facing away from each other but are arranged parallel to
each other. In particular with closed hollow profiles, the
fastening elements can be embodied as threaded bolts, screws or the
like which extend through the first and the second surface sections
or, especially with post profiles that are open on one side, such
as the frequently used sigma profiles, the fastening elements can
be embodied as two separate fastening elements for each combination
of a post and connecting element. The post can furthermore be a
two-part steel profile which is inserted and especially rammed into
the ground and is subsequently provided with a post head attached
to the upper end on which the first surface section of the post is
embodied.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention is illustrated in further detail in the
following, with the aid of preferred embodiments and with reference
to the Figures, showing in:
[0015] FIG. 1 An exploded view of a compilation of components for a
support arrangement according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 The components, shown in FIG. 1, in a fastened
state;
[0017] FIGS. 3A and 3B Front and back perspective views of a stop
element that may be used to implement the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 A horizontal section through a fastening
location;
[0019] FIG. 5 The horizontal section shown in FIG. 4 in which the
fastening location is in a state where the fastening is not
tightened;
[0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B Different height positions for the
connecting element;
[0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B A variant of FIGS. 6A and 6B,
respectively;
[0022] FIGS. 8A and 8B A different variant of FIGS. 6A and 6B,
respectively;
[0023] FIGS. 9A and 9B Yet another variant of FIGS. 6A and 6B,
respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 shows in an exploded view the components which are
essential to the invention for an exemplary embodiment of a support
arrangement for solar modules, wherein the components are shown
separately prior to being assembled. Also drawn in is a right-angle
x-y-z coordinate system, wherein the x direction denotes a
horizontal line in which longitudinal supports extend for a support
arrangement that is not shown herein and in which a plurality of
spaced-apart posts are successively lined up in a row. The y
direction is a horizontal direction which is orthogonal to the x
direction, whereas z denotes the vertical direction. A cross
direction in the z-y plane, which is slanted relative to the z and
y direction, is given the reference q. In the completed solar
system, flat solar modules rest in a q-x plane on the support
arrangement, at an angle to the horizontal line.
[0025] A post PF, shown as a partial representation in FIG. 1,
comprises in a manner known per se a so-called sigma cross section
which has an additional indent in the center leg as compared to the
C cross section. The post PF comprises two surface sections F11,
F12, spaced apart in y direction and positioned in vertical x-z
planes, for which the surface normal points in the y direction. The
surface sections F11, F12 of the post PF form the first surface
sections. The post is typically rammed into the ground, if
applicable by first drilling a hole. An opening D1, in particular a
bore hole, is provided in each of the first surface sections F11,
F12 through which a fastening element BE can be extended, in
particular a screw or a threaded bolt or the like. With the posts
having a sigma cross section, respectively one fastening element BE
is provided for each of the first surface sections F11, F12. With
other post cross sections, a fastening element can also be provided
which extends in y direction through the aligned openings in the
spaced-apart first surface sections F11, F12.
[0026] A connecting element VE comprises two web plates F21, F22
for which the plate surfaces are positioned at a distance to each
other in the direction of their surface normal. The web plates F21,
F22 form the second surface sections on the side of the connecting
element VE. In the assembled state, the plates comprising the
second surface sections F21, F22 are located in the x-z planes and
the joint surface normal extends in y direction. The web plates
F21, F22 are connected, in particular welded, to a console panel KB
which has a support surface AF positioned in a q-x plane.
Longitudinal supports that are known per se from the prior art and
extend in x direction can be placed onto the support surfaces AF
and can be connected to the console panel KB. Module supports
extending in q direction for supporting the solar modules can in
turn be attached to the longitudinal supports.
[0027] In the second surface sections F21, F22, openings D2 in the
form of elongated holes are provided for the preferred example of
the invention, wherein the openings D2 in the second surface
sections F21, F22 are arranged so as to be aligned in y direction.
In addition, counter structures GS are provided in the second
surface sections F21, F22, which will be described in further
detail in the following with the aid of the Figures and which
cooperate with stop structures AS of the stop elements AE1, AE2.
The counter structures GS in particular can be embodied in the form
of openings, preferably bore holes, extending through the second
surface sections F21, F22.
[0028] Provided as essential elements for the support arrangement
according to the invention are furthermore the stop elements AE1,
AE2, with thereon embodied stop structures, for example locking
cams NO, which cooperate with the counter structures GS on the
second surface sections F21, F22, as previously mentioned.
[0029] When setting up the support arrangements, consisting of the
components shown in FIG. 1, the connecting element is arranged in
such a way on the post PF that the second surface sections F21, F22
fit tightly against the sides pointing toward the outside of the
first surface sections F11, F12. In the starting state, the mutual
spacing in y direction between the two surface sections F21, F22 is
typically slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the post
PS between the first surface sections F11, F12, thus making it
possible in particular to take into account production tolerances.
In the assembled position outlined in FIG. 2, the second surface
sections F21, F22 encompass from the outside the first surface
sections F11, F12 and are oriented such that the openings D1 in the
first surface sections are projected to be aligned in y direction
with the openings D2 located in the second surface sections.
[0030] The stop elements AE1, AE2 are also provided with openings
DA which, in the assembled state, are aligned with the openings D1
in the first surface sections. The stop elements AE1, AE2 fit
against the outsides of the second surface sections F21, F22, which
are facing away from the first surface sections, while the cams NO
and the counter structures GS for the embodiment shown in FIG. 2
are mutually engaged in a form-fitting connection. Fastening
elements BE are guided in the direction of an element axis BA,
extending in y direction, through the openings DA in the stop
elements, the openings D2 in the second surface sections, and the
openings D1 in the first surface sections. In particular, the
fastening elements can be screws which are screwed into the nuts
MU, positioned on the insides of the first surface sections F11,
F12.
[0031] The connecting element VE with thereon arranged support
structure and solar modules is supported in the vertical direction
via the second surface sections F21, the second form-fitting
connections produced by the engagement of the counter structures GS
and the cams NO, the stop elements AE1, AE2 and first form-fitting
connections produced with the aid of the fastening elements BE
between the openings DA in the stop elements and the openings D1 in
the first surface sections. No direct form-fitting connection
exists in the assembled state between the second surface sections
F21, F22 on one side and the first surface sections F11, F12 on the
other. However, the connecting element on the post PF can still be
supported via the stop elements AE1, AE2 and the aforementioned
form-fitting connection.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows two different views of an advantageous
embodiment of a stop element which can be produced, in particular,
by reshaping a flat sheet-metal blank. The outlined stop element
comprises a center plate section MP from which two edges ST are
bent over, so as to stabilize the shape of the stop element when it
is used. An opening DA in the center is advantageously embodied in
the shape of a short bushing extension BU which projects over the
plate surface of the plate section MP. The inside diameter of the
bushing extension BU is matched to the shaft diameter for the
fastening elements BE which, in the assembled state, extend through
the opening DA. The opening DA with the bushing extension BU can be
produced, in particular, through reshaping of the flat plate
section MP.
[0033] Two cams NO which are preferably arranged symmetrical to the
opening DA also project from the plate surface of the plate section
MP. The extensions of the bushing BU and the cams NO projecting on
opposite sides of bushing BU, are directed counter to the
orientation of the edges ST, relative to the plate section MP.
[0034] In the assembled position shown in FIG. 2, the plate section
MP is located in a plane x-z and the projecting parts of the cams
NO and the bushing extension BU and/or the angling of the edges ST
point in opposite directions parallel to the y direction. The cams
NO and the opening DA are essentially positioned along a line in x
direction. Along the edges of the plate section MP, which extend in
x direction, the edges ST are angled toward this plate section.
[0035] It is advantageous if the cams NO essentially have a perfect
cylindrical shape and, for the preferred embodiment, are formed
through cold-forming with the aid of an extraction tool from the
plate surface of the plate section MP.
[0036] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show views with x-y sectional planes
through the element axis BA of a fastening element BE, wherein the
fastening element BE shown in FIG. 4 is screwed fixedly into the
nut MU as counter element and wherein FIG. 5 shows a connection
that is loosened as compared to FIG. 4.
[0037] In the fastened state according to FIG. 4, showing the
tightened screw connection between a screw as fastening element BE
and a nut on the inside of the first surface section F11 of the
post PF, the second surface section F21 is tightened against the
first surface section F11 and fits flush against it. The stop
element AE1 fits on one side with the plate section MP against the
outside of the second surface section F21 that is facing away from
the first surface section F11 and engages with the cams NO, which
form the stop structures, in the counter structures formed by bore
holes in the second surface section F21. The bushing extension BU
at the same time rests within the opening D2 in the form of an
elongated hole FL in the second surface section. The bushing
extension BU is aligned with the opening D1 in the first surface
section F11. The screw shaft as fastening element BE extends
through the opening DA in the bushing extension BU and through the
opening D1 in the first surface section F11. A spacer AS can be
inserted in the standard manner between the screw head and the
plate section MP of the stop element. The projecting portion of the
bushing extension BU, relative to the surface of the plate section
MP, is larger by a slight degree than the portion of the cams NO
that projects over the plate surface of the plate section MP.
[0038] If the fastening element BE is unscrewed slightly from the
nut MO, as compared to the fastening position shown in FIG. 4, then
the plate section MP of the stop element AE1 can be pushed in y
direction, relative to the second surface section F21 and away from
this second surface section, so that the cams NO which form the
stop structures leave the previous form-fitting engagement in the
bore holes functioning as the counter structures GS in the second
surface section F21. In the process, a thin gap can form again
between the first and the second surface sections. The bushing
section BU can still be located inside the opening D2 through the
second surface section, which is formed by the elongated hole FL,
even if the cams NO have been moved out of the counter structures
GS. If the cams NO of the stop element are moved out of the counter
structures GS, the second form-fitting connection is released and
the connecting element can be displaced perpendicular to the
drawing plane in FIG. 5, relative to the post PF. The displacement
perpendicular to the drawing plane shown in FIG. 5 represents a
change in vertical z direction. The position of the stop element
AE1, relative to the post PF and/or its first plate section,
remains unchanged because of the continued form-fitting connection,
generated by the shaft for the fastening element extending through
the opening D1 in the first surface section F11 and the opening DA
in the stop element.
[0039] The displacement of the connecting element in z direction,
relative to the post PF and the stop element AE1 in the
non-tightened position of the fastening element as shown in FIG. 5,
makes it possible to move the connecting element to a different
height position, relative to the stop element, in which the cams NO
which function as the stop structures are again aligned with the
counter structures GS in the second surface section F21. By moving
the stop element to the second surface section F21, the element can
once more assume a second form-fitting connection once the cams NO
engage in the counter structures GS.
[0040] Viewed in the y direction onto a second surface section F21
and a stop element AE1, the two representations (A) and (B), of
FIG. 6 represents two height positions that differ vertically by a
height adjustment step HS of the second surface section F21,
relative to the opening DA through the stop element which is
considered fixed. In FIG. 6, the fastening element which extends
with its shaft through the opening DA in the stop element has been
omitted to provide a clearer view.
[0041] For the exemplary embodiment outlined in FIG. 6, the counter
structures GS comprise two vertical rows of bore holes, for which
one row is arranged on each side of the elongated hole FL and the
bore center points can be offset in the vertical direction,
relative to each other, by a grid spacing RM. Successively
following bore holes in the vertical direction are separated by
material webs, so that the structures have a high stability against
tearing of the bore holes RS, even if they are subjected to a high
load.
[0042] The example outlined in FIG. 6(A) is intended to show a
height position for the second surface section F21, for which the
cams NO of the stop element are engaged in the second bore holes,
counted from the top, of the parallel-arranged rows of holes in the
counter structures GS. In contrast, FIG. 6(B) shows a height
position for the second surface section F21, following a vertical
upward displacement of the connecting element, wherein the cams NO
of the stop element AE1 in this new position are engaged in the
third bore holes of the row of holes, as counted from above. In
this way, the second surface section F21 and/or the connecting
element VE with therein rigidly arranged second surface section F21
can thus be adjusted in the vertical direction for different height
positions by using the steps HS which correspond to the grid
spacing RM of the rows of holes. In the non-tightened position of
the fastening element according to FIG. 5, the individual
components remain connected to each other in a captive connection
and the handling is particularly advantageous. Owing to the support
provided in the second form-fitting connection via the two cams NO
and the associated bore holes in the counter structures GS, the
supporting force is distributed over two partial connections in the
second form-fitting connection, and the diameter of the cams and/or
the bore holes which form the counter structures GS can be clearly
reduced as compared to a simple support, such as the one via the
fastening element BE and the openings DA in the stop element and D1
in the first surface section. Taking into account the material webs
MS, which must be provided for stability reasons, this favors in
turn a closer arrangement of the bore holes GS in vertical
direction and thus a small grid spacing and small steps for the
vertical adjustability.
[0043] Additional openings DS are drawn into FIG. 6, at the lower
end of the second surface section F21, which can be provided, in
particular, to support the connecting element VE in such a way that
it can be tilted around the element axis BA of the fastening
element. In the non-level terrain, this arrangement is designed to
allow a positioning of the longitudinal supports, which rest on the
support surface AF of the connecting element and are attached
thereto, which deviates from the precise horizontal direction x and
makes it possible to adapt the support surface AF precisely to the
orientation of the longitudinal supports while the vertical
alignment of the posts remains unchanged. In particular following a
precise adjustment in height and angle orientation of the
connecting element, relative to the post PF, an additional fixing
element and especially a self-drilling screw is screwed into one of
the openings DS and through the first surface section of the post
PF, thus fixing the angle orientation of the connecting element
around the element axis BA of the fastening element.
[0044] Whereas for the previously explained example the height
adjustment of the connecting element, relative to the post, occurs
in vertical steps which are equal to the grid spacing of the rows
of holes in the second surface section, FIGS. 7 and 8 show
embodiments where the height can also be adjusted in smaller steps
which equal half the grid spacing of the rows of holes in the
second surface section. The individual images shown in FIGS. 6 to 8
are respectively positioned with the vertical position, e.g. the
element axis BA of the fastening elements, at the same distance to
each other in z direction, wherein the respectively used holding
elements are also shown separately.
[0045] According to FIG. 7, it is therefore provided that on the
stop element AD-A, AD-B, the center point of the opening DA, which
coincides with the element axis for the fastening element and
through which the stop element projects, does not coincide with the
connecting line through the center points of the locking cams NO,
but is displaced transverse thereto. Nevertheless, the opening DA
is still arranged in the center between the cams that are
positioned with a distance to the side. The grid for the rows of
holes remains unchanged, as compared to the previous example, and
in particular also has the same grid spacing RM for the bore holes
that follow successively in the vertical direction. The offset of
the center point for the opening DA in the holding element,
relative to the connecting line for the center points of the
locking cams, is given the reference DN and amounts to 25% of the
grid spacing RM for the rows of holes.
[0046] The stop element can be inserted with two orientations,
which are offset by 180.degree. around the fastening element,
wherein as opposed to the previously described stop element, the
two angle positions differ in such a way that in the one case,
shown in FIG. 7(A), the cams are positioned below the center point
of the opening DA and in the other rotational position, shown in
FIG. 7(B), the cams are positioned above the center point of the
opening. The two rotational positions for the stop element in the
separate representations of the stop element are given the
references DA-A and DA-B, corresponding to the Figure components
(A) and/or (B). As a result of the symmetrical arrangement of the
cams, their position in side direction is the same in both
rotational positions, relative to the center point of the opening
through the plate section. The vertical positions of the cams
differ for the two rotational positions of the stop element by a
vertical difference HD which is equal to half the grid spacing for
the rows of holes.
[0047] Since the position of the element axis BA and/or the center
point of the opening DA that extends through the plate section MP
is fixedly predetermined, owing to the bore hole D1 in the first
plate section F11 and the fastening element, the absolute height
position of the locking cams varies by half the grid spacing of the
rows of holes when the stop element AD is rotated by 180.degree. in
the non-tightened position of the fastening element. Since the
height position of the locking cams during the engagement in the
bore holes of the counter structures determines their vertical
height position, the resulting height positions differ by an amount
HD which correlates to half the grid spacing RM for the rows of
holes, in dependence on the rotational position of the stop element
around the fastening element. In FIGS. 7(A) and (B), the same bore
holes of the hole grid in the second surface section are selected
to be used for the second form-fitting connection, so that in the
rotational position of the stop element according to FIG. 7(A), in
which the cams are located below the opening center and/or below
the element axis, the height position of the second surface section
and/or the connecting element which is connected rigidly thereto is
lower by half a grid spacing than the one shown in FIG. 7(B) for
the rotational position of the stop element where the cams are
positioned above the element axis.
[0048] A height adjustment option with steps HD thus results,
wherein a step is equal to half the grid spacing for the rows of
holes. Of course, a height adjustment in steps equal to the grid
spacing RM is also possible, wherein the stop element in that case
is not rotated around the element axis.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates a different embodiment which also allows
using half steps for the height adjustment. For the example
outlined in FIG. 8, the rows of holes with respectively uniform
grid spacing in vertical direction, wherein these rows are located
to the left and to the right of the elongated hole in the first
surface section, are offset in height, relative to each other, by a
measure equal to half the grid spacing. That is to say, with
respect to height the bore holes of the one row are staggered
relative to the holes in the other row of holes.
[0050] For this example, a stop element AK with two locking cams NO
and a central opening DA is configured such that the center point
BA of the opening DA through the plate surface MP is located on a
straight line with the two cams NO and that the cams are positioned
at the same distances to the center point of the opening. The
spacing between the cams and the distance to the center point of
the opening slightly exceeds that of the horizontal distance
between the two rows of holes. The stop element can be inserted
into two different bore hole positions of the grid for producing a
form-fitting connection between the cams, wherein each time the
connecting line between the cams is tilted at a slight angle
relative to the horizontal line. In the two insertion positions,
the center point of one of the two cams is respectively positioned
lower by a height difference DN and the center point of the other
of the two cams is located higher by the same difference DN than
the height of the element axis BA. The line can be tilted either in
the clockwise direction or also in the counter-clockwise direction.
In FIG. 8, in turn, the stop elements are again drawn in at two
locations (A) and (B), showing different angles for the
form-fitting engagement in the rows of holes, and are also drawn in
separately above these locations with the references AK-A, AK-B.
Producing a form-fitting connection between the cams and the bore
holes is possible only in the two positions tilted in opposite
directions.
[0051] Since the height of the center of the opening through the
plate surface MP of the stop element is again determined by the
opening D1 in the first surface section of the post and by the
fastening element BE that extends through this opening, the two
rotational positions of the stop element determine two different
height positions for the locking cam which complement each other in
connection with the staggered rows of holes in the second surface
section, so as to form possible vertical positions of the second
surface section for which the step width HK of the height
adjustment amounts to half the grid spacing RM of the individual
rows of holes.
[0052] FIG. 9 shows a different variant which can be used for a
height adjustment of the connecting element, relative to the post,
using a reduced step width as compared to a hole grid, wherein the
stop element is again tilted around the axis of the fastening
screw. The rows of holes in the second surface section F21 of the
connecting element are arranged on both sides of the elongated hole
FL, at the same height relative to each other, as shown for the
example in FIG. 6. The stop element, which is essentially
configured identical to the stop element AE1 in FIG. 6, is arranged
in FIG. 9(A) with the same orientation as in FIG. 6, relative to
the second surface section F21. The vertical height of the stop
element AE9 is fixed, with respect to its center for the bushing
extension BU which surrounds the opening DA, wherein the fastening
screws BE, which are not drawn into FIG. 9, extend through this
opening. In the orientation of the stop element AE9 with
horizontally extending connecting line between the two cams NO, the
connecting element can be adjusted vertically in the grid spacing
RM of the rows of holes GS.
[0053] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the
cams NO and the holes in the rows of holes GS are coordinated in
such a way that for the orientation of the stop element AE9 shown
in FIG. 9(A), the cams NO not only can engage in opposite-arranged
bore holes of the rows of holes GS, but that following a tilting of
the stop element AE9 into the position shown in FIG. 9(B), the two
cams NO of the stop element can also engage in respectively one
bore hole of the opposite-arranged rows of holes. In that case, the
bore holes in the left and the right row of holes, in which the two
cams NO of the stop element AE9 are engaged, are not offset in
height by one grid spacing. Relative to the center point of the
opening DA in the stop element, the two cams are displaced in
height either up or down by an offset DN which essentially is equal
to half the grid spacing RM. It is illustrated at the lower edges
of the second surface section F21 that with the tilted position of
the stop element AE9, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the second surface
section F21 and thus also the connecting element can be displaced
in height by a step width HK, relative to the position of the stop
element AE9 in FIG. 9(A), wherein the adjustment step HK is equal
to the height offset DN of the cams NO, relative to the center
point of the opening DA, and equal to half the grid spacing RM of
the rows of holes. The stop element AE9 is advantageously embodied
mirror-symmetrical, relative to a center plane, so that a tilting
with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 9(A) is possible in
both rotational directions. To allow the cams NO to engage in the
bore holes of the rows of holes GS either in the non-tilted
orientation of the stop element or in the tilted orientation for
the stop element, the cams NO are slightly undersized as compared
to the diameter of the bore holes GS, wherein the undersized
dimensions can be extremely small because of the small tilting
angle. The representation according to FIG. 9 should therefore not
be understood as being to scale. The viewing direction for the
representation according to FIG. 9 is parallel to the axis for the
fastening screw BE and is seen from the inside of the second
surface section F21. The hidden edges of the stop element AE9 are
drawn in with dashed lines in this view.
[0054] The features listed in the above and in the claims, as well
as the features that follow from the Figures, can be realized
advantageously by themselves or also in different combinations. The
invention is not restricted to the described exemplary embodiments,
but can be modified and embodied in different ways within the
framework of expert knowledge.
* * * * *